News photo by Steve Schulwitz Thunder Bay in Alpena is covered in ice on Monday, but overall, Lake Huron is only about 35% frozen over, according to the National Weather Service.

ALPENA — After months of being classified as being in severe drought, the National Drought Monitor now categorizes Alpena County as exhibiting moderate drought conditions.

The on-and-off lake effect snow showers over the last couple of weeks were the primary reason why the drought level has eased, at least for now.

The National Drought Monitor updates its drought classifications nationwide every Thursday.

For months, Alpena County was suffering from severe drought, which the National Weather Service says could have led to crop or pasture losses, water shortages, and water restrictions imposed if they lingered for a long stretch.

The weather service’s website that many of the same issues presented by severe drought are mirrored by moderate drought, just not as intense.

Moderate drought can still cause some damage to crops and pastures, while streams, reservoirs, or wells lose depth. Some water shortages could develop and force voluntary water-use restrictions, but that is rare in Northeast Michigan.

With more cold and snow on the way, it is possible the level of drought in Alpena County could drop again before spring. The next lowest tier is abnormally dry. The weather service says that the impacts of coming out of drought include some lingering water deficits and pastures or crops that were damaged from severe drought may take time to recover.

Patrick Bak, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Gaylord, said cooler temperatures in the Alpena area could lead to more lake-effect snow, and storm systems could develop in the next week or so that help with the lingering drought. He said if the snow stays away, the long-range forecast predicts we could have a wet spring, which would help.

“Looking out to March and April, it is showing a higher-than-normal amount of precipitation,” he said. “If that comes to pass, it could knock out some more of the drought.”

Still, the lack of snow and ice cover on Lake Huron currently could produce problems later this year.

Currently, Lake Huron’s ice coverage stands at about 35%, according to the weather service, which means evaporation of the lake water is ongoing and water levels are dropping. The lack of precipitation so far this winter could also lead to declining water levels.

If more ice isn’t made on the Great Lake, or snow and rain are scarce, it could impact shipping, recreational boaters, and the shoreline and beaches in the area.

Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers reported that Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, which are combined for reporting by the Army Corps, lost two inches of water depth since Jan. 7 and seven inches lower than their long-term February averages.

The Army Corps says Lake Michigan-Huron water levels next month are expected to stay about the same as they are now, so more precipitation is needed to help water levels bounce back.

With more cold weather on the way, more ice will likely be created on Lake Huron, which could help the water levels when the thaw arrives in the spring.

The National Weather Service says maximum ice coverage on the Great Lakes typically occurs from mid-February to the end of February for the Great Lakes in the Lower Peninsula. Ice could continue to be made into early March.